Red Sox send RHP Coello to Cubs for 2B Thomas

FORT MYERS, Fla.
— The Boston Red Sox have traded right-handed pitcher Robert Coello to the Chicago Cubs for minor league second baseman Tony Thomas.

Thomas batted .276 with 11 homers and 73 RBIs for Double-A Tennessee last year after being chosen by the Cubs in the third round of the 2007 amateur draft. In 405 minor league games, he is hitting .269 with 34 homers and 196 RBIs.

Coello made his major league debut last September with Boston and had a 4.76 ERA in six relief outings. He had been designated for assignment by the Red Sox last Wednesday. In three minor league seasons he is 13-10 with a 2.91 ERA.